Disclaimer [ENGLISH]
Disclaimer: This material is for educational purposes only. You, the reader, assume full responsibility for how you choose to use it. It is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment, nor does it replace the advice or counsel of a doctor or health care professional. Reference to a specific commercial product or service does not imply endorsement or recommendation of that product or service by CPCMG.
What are the physical signs of puberty?
For those assigned…
Female at Birth
If your child does not have any signs of puberty by the age of 13 years old or your child is showing signs of puberty before the age of 8 years old, be sure to contact your child’s provider.
Breasts
- Breast buds are usually the first sign of puberty.
- Usually happens between 8 and 13 years old. Contact your child’s pediatrician if they have breast development younger than this. It is normal for one side to look different than the other.
- The breasts may feel a little tender or sore and that is normal as well.
Hair
- Body hair on the legs, under the arms, and in the pubic area will start to darken and become thicker.
- There is no medical reason to remove hair from these areas.
- If your child would like to shave and has parent consent and support to do, it is always a good idea to provide guidance and helpful tips.
- Use light pressure with a razor to avoid any cuts or extra skin irritation.
- Avoid sharing razors to minimize the risk of a skin infection.
- Apply a lotion or gel to use while shaving to avoid skin irritation that is more likely to occur if shaving on dry legs.
- Replace a razor as soon as it is dull to avoid irritating the skin.
- Electric razors for the legs are an option as long as that is what the razor was designed to shave.
Menstrual Cycles
- About 6 to 12 months prior to the start of menstruation (“periods”), your child might start to have white or clear vaginal discharge due to changes in their hormones.
- Periods usually start about 2 to 3 years after breast development begins.
- The average age is 12 years old.
- A period may start with bright red blood or with a brown/dark red-looking discharge or spotting and both are normal.
- Periods can be regular (happening every 21-35) or irregular (not every month) for the first two years. It can take take this long for your child’s hormone levels to cycle properly.
- Cramping is usually minimal the first two years of a period and a normal part of menstruation.
- If your child is missing school or other activities due to cramping, please call to have your child seen.
Other changes during puberty
- Peak growth is usually reached about once your child starts their first menses.
- After having their first period, your child might grow only 1-2inches over the next 2 years, before they stop growing taller.
- Your child’s hips usually get a little wider and their waist may get smaller.
- Your child may develop body odor under their arms. Deodorants and antiperspirants may be used to help with this.
- Acne is more common at this time, as the hormonal changes also change the amount of oil and sweat produced. If acne is bothersome to your child or you are concerned about scarring call to have your child seen.
- Your child starts to develop pleasure and the ability to have an orgasm as puberty progresses.
- Masturbation is normal and is not harmful if done in private.
Male at Birth
Penis, Scrotum and Testicles
- Enlargement of the scrotum and the testicles is usually the first sign of puberty.
- By the end of puberty, the testicles and scrotum will have nearly doubled in size.
- It is not uncommon for one testicle to be slightly lower than the other and this is usually the left testicle.
- The penis gets bigger and longer during this time.
- The penis may reach adult size as soon as 13 years old or as late as 18 years old.
- Erections can be unpredictable during puberty, so that is to be expected.
- There is no quick trick to get rid of them when happening at embarrassing times.
- Greater control over erections will happen as they age.
- Reassurance is key, as all of this is normal.
- Ejaculation, where semen comes from the penis can occur during waking hours and during sleep. So, it can happen involuntarily or purposely as sensations and orgasm becomes a reality.
Body Hair
- Pubic hair develops next.
- The hair gets darker and curlier in the private region and around the upper thighs.
- Body hair changes, usually turning darker and thicker.
- Facial hair develops.
Other changes during puberty
- Puberty leads to greater muscular strength, and they start their growth spurt, with the peak happening in later puberty.
- The voice box (the larynx) and the vocal cords get larger, leading to voice changes.
- They may complain of pain behind or around the nipple in the breast tissue and this is normal during the early stages of puberty.
- Breast tissue development may be noticed around this time as well.
- If your child has breast development prior to puberty or the enlargement happens late in puberty, please call your child’s provider to have them seen.
- Masturbation is normal and is not harmful if done in private.
What emotional and social changes might happen?
- Your child may want to spend more time with their friends.
- They may express to you that their friends understand them better than you do.
- This can be a normal part of wanting more independence.
- They may care more about what their peers think about them, and feeling accepted becomes more important to them.
- Use this opportunity to discuss with your child how they are feeling, what they are thinking, and check-in on peer influences and what they do with their friends.
- You may notice mood changes, which can come with hormonal changes.
- At the time of a menstrual cycle your child may upset or cry easier or more often.
- Anger can become more apparent but should be controllable.
- Mood swings can occur but should not last for days in a row.
- If you are concerned about your child’s mood, please contact your child’s provider.
- If you have any concern about substance use, discuss this with your child and reach out to your child’s provider for additional help.
How do I talk to my child about puberty?
- You can always start by asking them what they know about puberty.
- They may have friends with body changes or have been talking to their friends about their own body changes.
- You want to be honest and open about the changes that will happen to their body.
- You do not need to discuss all the changes at once.
- Allow them time to think about things.
- Make sure to explain it using words that they understand.
- You can always ask them to explain things back to check their understanding.
- Encourage them to continue to come to you with their questions and concerns.
- This keeps your communication open and provides a safe space for your child.
- Read a book about puberty together.
- Be sure to check out the book before your child to make sure you feel comfortable with all of the material and ideas covered in the book.
Please reach out to your child’s pediatrician if you have any questions about your child’s growth, pubertal development, or would like help discussing these topics with your child.
Helpful Books:
Age range: 6-8
Gender Neutral
- Greener, R. (2023) Growing Up. (1st ed.). NOSY.
- Harris, R.H., & Emberley, M. (2008). It's Not the Stork!: A Book About Girls, Boys, Babies, Bodies, Families and Friends (The Family Library)(1st ed.). Candlewick.
- Harris, R.H., & Emberley, M. (2014). It's So Amazing!: A Book about Eggs, Sperm, Birth, Babies, and Families (The Family Library) (Anniversary, New ed.). Candlewick. (⚠ Suitable for age 7-8)
- Holmes, M., Hutchison, T., & Lowe, K. (2022). You-ology, A Puberty Guide for Every Body (1st ed.). American Academy of Pediatrics. (⚠ Suitable for age 8)
- Simon, R. (2020). The Every Body Book: The LGBTQ+ Inclusive Guide for Kids about Sex, Gender, Bodies, and Families (1st ed.). Jessica Kingsley Publishers. (⚠ Suitable for age 8)
Gender-Specific
Female at Birth
- Ganeri, A. (2020). My Body’s Changing: A Girls Guide to Growing Up (1st ed.). Hachette Children’s Group. (⚠ Suitable for age 7-8)
- Taylor, S. R. (2018). Celebrate Your Body (and Its Changes, Too!): The Ultimate Puberty Book for Girls (1st edition). Rockridge Press. (⚠ Suitable for age 8)
Male at Birth
- Ganeri, A. (2020). My Body’s Changing: A Boys Guide to Growing Up (1st ed.). Franklin Watts. (⚠ Suitable for age 7-8)
- Todnem, S (2019). Growing Up Great!: The Ultimate Puberty Book for Boys (1st ed.). Rockridge Press. (⚠ Suitable for age 8)
Age range: 9-11
Gender Neutral
- Greener, R. (2023) Growing Up. (1st ed.). NOSY.
- Harris, R.H., & Emberley, M. (2014). It's Perfectly Normal: Changing Bodies, Growing Up, Sex, and Sexual Health (The Family Library) (Anniversary, New ed.). Candlewick. (⚠ Suitable for age 10-11)
- Holmes, M., Hutchison, T., & Lowe, K. (2022). You-ology, A Puberty Guide for Every Body (1st ed.). American Academy of Pediatrics.
- Simon, R. (2020). The Every Body Book: The LGBTQ+ Inclusive Guide for Kids about Sex, Gender, Bodies, and Families (1st ed.). Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
- Loveless, G. (2021). Puberty Is Gross but Also Really Awesome (1st ed.). Rodale Kids.
Gender-Specific
Female at Birth
- American Medical Association, Gruenwald, K., & Middleman, A.B. (2006). American Medical Association Girl's Guide to Becoming a Teen(1st ed.), Jossey-Bass. (⚠ Suitable for age 10-11)
- Ganeri, A. (2020). My Body’s Changing: A Girls Guide to Growing Up (1st ed.). Hachette Children’s Group.
- Natterson, C., & Masse, J. (2013). The Care and Keeping of You 2: The Body Book for Older Girls (2nd ed.). American Girl. (⚠ Suitable for age 10-11)
- Schaefer, V., Masse, J. (2012). The Care and Keeping of You: The Body Book for Younger Girls, Revised Edition (American Girl Library)(New Red ed.), American Girl. (⚠ Suitable for age 10-11)
- Taylor, S. R. (2018). Celebrate Your Body (and Its Changes, Too!): The Ultimate Puberty Book for Girls (1st edition). Rockridge Press.
Male at Birth
- American Medical Association, Pfeifer, K.G., & Middleman, A.B. (2006). American Medical Association Boy’s Guide to Becoming a Teen (1st ed.). Jossey-Bass. (⚠ Suitable for age 10-11)
- Bsn, D.K.R. (2019). The Boys Body Book: Fifth Edition: Everything Up! (5th ed.). Applesauce Press. (⚠ Suitable for age 10-11)
- Ganeri, A. (2020). My Body’s Changing: A Boys Guide to Growing Up (1st ed.). Franklin Watts.
- Natterson, C., & Player, M. (2017). Guy Stuff: The Body Book for Boys (1st ed.) American Girl.
- Todnem, S (2019). Growing Up Great!: The Ultimate Puberty Book for Boys (1st ed.). Rockridge Press.
Age range: 12-14
Gender Neutral
- Bailey, J. (2016). Sex, Puberty, and All That Stuff: A Guide to Growing Up (2nd ed.). B.E.S.
- Greener, R. (2023) Growing Up. (1st ed.). NOSY.
- Loveless, G. (2021). Puberty Is Gross but Also Really Awesome (1st ed.). Rodale Kids.
- Winston, R. (2017). Help Your Kids with Growing Up: A No-Nonsense Guide to Puberty and Adolescence (1st ed.). Doring Kindersley Ltd.
Gender-Specific
Female at Birth
- American Medical Association, Gruenwald, K., & Middleman, A.B. (2006). American Medical Association Girl's Guide to Becoming a Teen(1st ed.), Jossey-Bass.
- Ganeri, A. (2020). My Body’s Changing: A Girls Guide to Growing Up (1st ed.). Hachette Children’s Group.
- Madaras, L., Madaras A., & Sullivan, S. (2007b). What's Happening to My Body? Book for Girls: Revised Edition (3rd ed.). William Morrow Paperbacks.
- Natterson, C., & Masse, J. (2013). The Care and Keeping of You 2: The Body Book for Older Girls (2nd ed.). American Girl.
- Schaefer, V., Masse, J. (2012). The Care and Keeping of You: The Body Book for Younger Girls, Revised Edition (American Girl Library)(New Red ed.), American Girl.
- Taylor, S. R. (2018). Celebrate Your Body (and Its Changes, Too!): The Ultimate Puberty Book for Girls (1st edition). Rockridge Press.
Male at Birth
- American Medical Association, Pfeifer, K.G., & Middleman, A.B. (2006). American Medical Association Boy’s Guide to Becoming a Teen (1st ed.). Jossey-Bass.
- Bsn, D.K.R. (2019). The Boys Body Book: Fifth Edition: Everything Up! (5th ed.). Applesauce Press.
- Ganeri, A. (2020). My Body’s Changing: A Boys Guide to Growing Up (1st ed.). Franklin Watts.
- Madaras, L., Madaras, A., & Sullivan, S. (2007). What’s Happening to My Body? Book for Boys: Revised Edition (3rd ed.). William Morrow Paperbacks.
- Natterson, C., & Player, M. (2017). Guy Stuff: The Body Book for Boys (1st ed.) American Girl.
- Todnem, S (2019). Growing Up Great!: The Ultimate Puberty Book for Boys (1st ed.). Rockridge Press.
Age range: 14+
Gender Neutral
- Bailey, J. (2016). Sex, Puberty, and All That Stuff: A Guide to Growing Up (2nd ed.). B.E.S.
Gender-Specific
Female at Birth
- American Medical Association, Gruenwald, K., & Middleman, A.B. (2006). American Medical Association Girl's Guide to Becoming a Teen(1st ed.), Jossey-Bass.
- Ganeri, A. (2020). My Body’s Changing: A Girls Guide to Growing Up (1st ed.). Hachette Children’s Group.
- Madaras, L., Madaras A., & Sullivan, S. (2007b). What's Happening to My Body? Book for Girls: Revised Edition (3rd ed.). William Morrow Paperbacks.
- Natterson, C., & Masse, J. (2013). The Care and Keeping of You 2: The Body Book for Older Girls (2nd ed.). American Girl.
- Schaefer, V., Masse, J. (2012). The Care and Keeping of You: The Body Book for Younger Girls, Revised Edition (American Girl Library)(New Red ed.), American Girl.
Male at Birth
- American Medical Association, Pfeifer, K.G., & Middleman, A.B. (2006). American Medical Association Boy’s Guide to Becoming a Teen (1st ed.). Jossey-Bass.
- Bsn, D.K.R. (2019). The Boys Body Book: Fifth Edition: Everything Up! (5th ed.). Applesauce Press.
- Ganeri, A. (2020). My Body’s Changing: A Boys Guide to Growing Up (1st ed.). Franklin Watts.
- Madaras, L., Madaras, A., & Sullivan, S. (2007). What’s Happening to My Body? Book for Boys: Revised Edition (3rd ed.). William Morrow Paperbacks.